An Analysis Of Clock Without Hands From The Perspective Of Existentialism

Carson Mc Cullers is a critical female writer of American Southern literature in the twentieth century.Clock without Hands,as Mc Cullers' last novel,tells the story of four characters in the year from 1953 to 1954 and discloses the background of the southern society in the 1950 s.The novel,which takes twenty years from its creation to publication,distinguishes itself from the authors' previous works in terms of writing techniques and styles.However,it can't be denied that this novel hasn't received enough attention compared with Mc Cullers' other works and existing researches are limited with the attention only on the themes such as “spiritual isolation” and “loneliness”.The thesis is an attempt to interpret the novel from the perspective of existentialism in the combination with Mc Cullers' experiences.This thesis intends to reveal Mc Cullers' concern on humanity and dig out the existential themes by analyzing the existential crises faced by the four main characters,the loneliness they suffer and how they seek ways out in the face of absurdities.This thesis consists of five chapters.Chapter one includes the introduction of the author and her works as well as the key existentialist concepts that will be applied in the textual analysis.Chapter two involves the living predicaments faced by Sherman who is conscious of his marginalization in the society and makes his final decision to rebel.Chapter three focuses on the existential crisis confronted by Jester who suffers alienation and gradually recognizes his difference in the process of pursuing an authentic self.Chapter four centers on Malone and the Judge who in the face of absurdities,make different choices to define their life: to lie tohimself and avoid the reality or to be true to the self.The last chapter makes a summary about the existential themes involved and points out the meaning of this research.The revelation of the characters' quest for an identifiable self despite of confusion,alienation and helplessness manifests Mc Cullers' reflections on the issues such as interpersonal relations,freedom and man's self-value.The analysis of the novel from the perspective of existentialism not only provides us a chance to understand author's concern on the changes taking places in the Southern society and her contemplation on human's existence,but also grants us a new insight to appreciate Mc Cullers' other works.